ValorInveste: Cover - From to brie to cream cheese

Marley Rodrigues: "I used to travel abroad twice a year in executive class. Today, I don't do anything"

SÃO PAULO - The old mansion located in São Paulo's southern zone is decorated with Indian vases, oriental sculptures, grandfather clocks and a tapestry from the 16th century. All reflecting the owner's taste. Noting the reporters' surprise upon arrival, the pleasant and receptive hostess Marley Rodrigues was quick to add: "I have always been accustomed to large spaces. I am the granddaughter of farmers that had money."

In the past, Marley did not rely solely on family resources. She married someone who also earned well, which made her "financially comfortable". But everything began in 1980 when she divorced. Without the back-up of her husband and knowing than her inheritance would not last forever, she took the civil service exam and passed. With the salary, she could maintain a similar lifestyle, without major sacrifices. "In the 90s, my monthly income was high. I travelled abroad twice a year in business class. And I always went to good restaurants, comfortable hotels and travelled," she affirmed. "Today, I don't do anything," she laments, saying that inflation eroded her income. "I have the impression that everything tripled in value, but my income did not increase accordingly."

The scenario worsened in 2006, when Marley stopped paying off the monthly installments on the five credit cards she had at the time. "I started to pay only the minimum. I sank. The debts snowballed. I also accumulated debt on my overdraft banking account," she recalls. The solution was to sell a plot of land inherited from the family and pawn her jewelry, which was very difficult. "When I was single, I loved to buy bars of gold to make jewelry." However, the efforts were not enough to settlethe debts, which today total R$ 60,000.

Marley says she's changed her consumption habits. "Before I ate brie. Now I eat cream cheese," she says jokingly. "I am 68. At 66, I started to learn to deal with money," she reveals.